OSI-licensed only · self-hostable
UiPath is a proprietary robotic process automation (RPA) platform: it records and runs bots that click through desktop and web applications, with orchestration and monitoring on top. Open-source options split into RPA-style tools and general workflow automation.
Every tool below is under an OSI-approved licence (Apache-2.0, MPL-2.0, MIT), checked against its repository. n8n, often described as open source, is listed separately because its licence is not OSI-approved.
Licences checked against each repository on November 7, 2026.
| Tool | Best for | Licence | Runs as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robot Framework | Keyword-driven automation and RPA in Python | Apache-2.0 | Desktop app |
| OpenRPA | Closest to UiPath's designer and robot model | MPL-2.0 | Desktop + server |
| Node-RED | Flow-based event-driven automation | Apache-2.0 | Server |
| Activepieces | No-code workflow automation | MIT | Docker |
| Huginn | Self-hosted agents that watch and act online | MIT | Docker |
| Robocorp | Python automations and actions | Apache-2.0 | Server |
Best for: Keyword-driven automation and RPA in Python
A general-purpose open source automation framework for acceptance testing, ATDD and robotic process automation, with plain-text syntax and extensible libraries.
Best for: Closest to UiPath's designer and robot model
Open source robotic process automation software, described as free open source enterprise-grade RPA.
Best for: Flow-based event-driven automation
Low-code programming for event-driven applications, an OpenJS Foundation project that runs in the browser.
Best for: No-code workflow automation
An open source replacement for Zapier with a type-safe pieces framework in TypeScript. The Community Edition is MIT; enterprise features have a separate commercial licence.
Best for: Self-hosted agents that watch and act online
A system for building agents that perform automated tasks online, positioned as a self-hosted alternative to IFTTT or Zapier.
Best for: Python automations and actions
Create Python AI actions and automations and deploy and operate them anywhere.
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| If you need… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Bots that drive desktop applications | OpenRPA |
| Developer-led automation and testing | Robot Framework |
| API and event workflows with a visual editor | Node-RED or Activepieces |
| Monitoring the web and acting on it | Huginn |
| Python-based automations | Robocorp |
Public source code, but under licences the Open Source Initiative doesn't approve. Fine to use; read the terms first.
Source code is public and self-hosting is allowed, but the fair-code Sustainable Use License is not OSI-approved.
Quick answers to common questions
No, UiPath is proprietary software.
OpenRPA is the closest to a dedicated RPA platform, while Robot Framework is the most established developer-oriented option.
No. It is fair-code under the Sustainable Use License, which is not OSI-approved.
OpenRPA and Robot Framework (with libraries) can. Node-RED, Activepieces and Huginn automate at the API and web level.
Activepieces and Node-RED offer visual builders. Robot Framework and Robocorp expect some scripting.
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